Tuesday, March 25, 2014

TSA Travel Tips: Applying for TSA Pre✓™ at an Application Center

Would you
like to apply for TSA Pre✓™,
but you’re not quite sure how to get the proverbial ball rolling?

You
need to visit a TSA Pre✓™
Application Center. You can do this in one of two ways.

Pre-enroll online and make an appointment to
visit an application center.

Visit any application center as a
“walk-in.” (Please note that you may experience a longer wait time without an
appointment.)

When
visiting an application center, be sure to bring required documentation and the application fee of $85. Applicants can pay via credit
card, money order, company check or certified/cashier's check. Cash and
personal checks are not accepted. Enrollment centers accept Visa®, MasterCard®,
American Express and Discover cards.

After
applying, successful applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) via
U.S. mail approximately 2-3 weeks following the visit to the application
center. Applicants can also check their status here.

Individuals
who already have a KTN include members of the following U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) Trusted
Traveler programs: Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI. These members are already
eligible for TSA Pre✓™. Lawful
permanent residents, enrolled in a CBP program, are not yet eligible for TSA
Pre✓™. They will be able to begin participation
this summer.

Additionally,
all U.S. Armed Forces service members, including those serving in the U.S.
Coast Guard, Reserves and National Guard, are automatically eligible for TSA
Pre✓™ by using their Department of Defense
ID number as their KTN.

I continue to wait for some justification for active duty military being included in pre-check, but not retired military or holders of current DoD or LE background investigations. military retirees have at least 20 years documents service to this Nation, pretty much proving their lack of risk. both DoD and LE background investigations should reveal any risk factors. active duty military do not, necessarily, have a background check or any significant length of service. neither citizenship nor a background investigation is required to enlist in the military, in fact there are likely illegal immigrants serving. if it is really about safety, then why are potentially unscreened non-citizens allowed through? sounds like it is just pandering to an admirable group to get PR, not adjusting the rules to ease screening on those who present a lower likelihood of threat.Let me be clear: pre-911 screening should be the norm. it is all that is required, now that cockpit doors have been reinforced and locked, and flight crews and passengers know that the rules have changed and passivity=death. however, if we are going to continue this massive waste of tax dollars on security theatre, at least have _some_ of the rules make sense.

Anonymous - really?Do you want the TSA Blog people to maybe fill the form out for you and maybe hand deliver it to you too! Would that work?I have a better idea why not actually do some work for yourself and research the answers you wanted to be included in this piece. I am sure that the answers you seek are all explained when you actually look into it!

For those of us who are US Government employees (to include the military), is there any reason the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) or Common Access Card (CAC) (which are only issued after a favorable background check has been conducted)cannot be used in lieu of the TSA Pre(check) process?

Why does most of the rest of the world offer the Pre Check level of screening as standard and for no extra cost? Their flights are just as safe. Yet I get to keep my shoes on and only have to go through a metal detector in Europe, for example. If I do set off their metal detector, I get wanded and they quickly locate the problem. If I set off the metal detector here, I get a full body patdown that takes a lot more time.

To pay money to the government for the chance (it's not guaranteed) of what should be the standard level of screening is absurd.

I agree that anyone working for the government who has a security clearance should get this automatically. Also, those of us who have enhanced driver's license where we have had a security check should be eligible also.

The US military and its veterans are listed as potential security threats by TSA's parent organization, DHS. "...the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks..."

It only makes sense to put military people under scrutiny. Anyone remember the perpetrator of the Oklahoma bombing?

"I agree that anyone working for the government who has a security clearance should get this automatically."

Why? Do you have proof that such travelers present less terror risk than, say, a 13-year old kid? Security clearances are issued so that the recipient can perform a specific job--not because the recipient is an upstanding, safe, moral, law-abiding etc. person. Case in point: Nidal Hasan. I can provide other examples of people who have been granted security clearance and later committed violent acts against innocent people.

TSA, can you provide ANY PROOF AT ALL that PreCheck makes air travel more secure with respect to travelers bringing weapons, explosives, or incendiaries on board? Can you provide ANY PROOF AT ALL that limiting some U.S. citizens' right to travel in the navigable airspace (a codified right) is of significant enough benefit to justify the limitation of the right and the creation of classes of have and have-not citizens?

Anonymous said...I agree that anyone working for the government who has a security clearance should get this automatically. Also, those of us who have enhanced driver's license where we have had a security check should be eligible also.

March 26, 2014 at 10:52 AM...............................To get a Concealed Carry license in Texas a person must pass a background check.. Seems if TSA is wanting to move more people to Pre Check then they have all plenty of people to work with all without robbing the public of another $85 per head.

TSA Pre Check is a scam to ease the work load of TSA employees. TSA is already over funded, no need to add new fees.

It continues to baffle me that TSA procedures willfully ensure that the so-called sterile areas of airports are not sterile.

Case in point; Police Raid LAX in Passenger Luggage Theft Case.

Nothing new about both civilian and government employee thieves poaching on travelers property. It's a continuing issue which has not been dealt with effectively.

The real issue that goes unaddressed is the simple fact that if someone can take something out of a travelers bag then they can as easily place some form of contraband in the bag which eventually gets loaded on the aircraft.

Seems that TSA should screen baggage right before it is loaded or ensure that baggage is maintained in a secure manner until reaching the airplane.

Another factor is that airport employees are not screened fully as are passengers but can and do walk right through employee entrances without any form of screening. These same people can be observed to bring in items that could be used to hide all manner of contraband.

TSA wastes millions of dollars on unproven programs such as BDO's and SPOT. TSA wastes manpower on non-security functions such as looking at ID's or playing silly games like State your Name.

TSA claims to be a professional security agency yet each and every day TSA demonstrates that Real Security is not the agencies objective.

If airport security is not TSA's objective then exactly what is TSA's purpose?

Now, what would really be a miracle is if the TSA actually recognized all the identification that requires a real Department of Homeland Security background check as equivelant to a TSA PreCheck card. Lets think about this here.. MMC - Issued by the USCG - is part of DHS. TWIC - issued by the TSA - is part of the DHS. I've got all this identification issued by the DHS that has to be good for something.

While we are on the subject of background checks, who does the background checks for the TSA? Is is a rubber-stamp group or an external three-letter-acronym group?

Holders of TWIC Cards have already gone through addition screening and identity checks. The card also includes biometric data encrypted. These cards are required by the US Coast Guard of anyone who is a "Transportation Worker". The card is a legal form of identification as well. TWIC Cards are a level beyond the Pre(check) thing and I will hope that they will be acceptable alternative to this new card. TWIC cards cost the individual $129+ . CAn anyone comment on whether they have equivalency?

i believe that the shooter in the virgina military base shooting had a twic card, according to abc news. so having a security clearance does not mean that the person cannot be a threat. submitting yourself to a background check does not mean that you are of less risk than any other person.

Foreign citizens who are members of Global Entry (see Global Entry eligibility) and not registered as a U.S. lawful permanent resident.

-----

Why is it a foreign citizen of country X who has GE but no LPR status is more trusted than a foreign citizen of country X who has GE and is lawful permanent resident? I am sure that your response will be that the permanent resident can always pay another $85. So my response is why are you shaking down an LPR who was rigorously investigated before attaining the privilege of an LPR and who already paid for GE?

According to the TSA, you can't be trusted to get on a plane to travel in the US unless you submit to a secret background check, FBI fingerprinting, and pay $85 fee.

Except if they deny you this vaunted privilege. And keep your money.

They won't tell you why and won't give you a realistic means of fixing a bad denial. They just tell you no and keep your money.

Did you know they will deny you for non-flight, non-terrorism reasons? Their rules say they can deny you for any reason. What is it this week? Being critical on the TSA blog? Being the "wrong" political party? Traveling to the "wrong" place?

Paying to have our privacy violated and tracked for the mere chance of being less assaulted is an insult to the freedom and liberty this country used to represent.

I continue to wait for some justification for active duty military being included in pre-check, but not retired military or holders of current DoD or LE background investigations. military retirees have at least 20 years documented service to this Nation, pretty much proving their lack of risk. both DoD and LE background investigations should reveal any risk factors. active duty military do not, necessarily, have a background check or any significant length of service. neither citizenship nor a background investigation is required to enlist in the military, in fact there are likely illegal immigrants serving. if it is really about safety, then why are potentially unscreened non-citizens allowed through? sounds like it is just pandering to an admirable group to get PR, not adjusting the rules to ease screening on those who present a lower likelihood of threat.Let me be clear: pre-911 screening should be the norm. it is all that is required, now that cockpit doors have been reinforced and locked, and flight crews and passengers know that the rules have changed and passivity=death. however, if we are going to continue this massive waste of tax dollars on security theatre, at least have _some_ of the rules make sense.

I continue to wait for some justification for active duty military being included in pre-check, but not retired military or holders of current DoD or LE background investigations. military retirees have at least 20 years documented service to this Nation, pretty much proving their lack of risk. both DoD and LE background investigations should reveal any risk factors. active duty military do not, necessarily, have a background check or any significant length of service. neither citizenship nor a background investigation is required to enlist in the military, in fact there are likely illegal immigrants serving. if it is really about safety, then why are potentially unscreened non-citizens allowed through? sounds like it is just pandering to an admirable group to get PR, not adjusting the rules to ease screening on those who present a lower likelihood of threat.Let me be clear: pre-911 screening should be the norm. it is all that is required, now that cockpit doors have been reinforced and locked, and flight crews and passengers know that the rules have changed and passivity=death. however, if we are going to continue this massive waste of tax dollars on security theatre, at least have _some_ of the rules make sense.

It's insane that I cannot use my TWIC card to get into the precheck line. As mentioned by others, it's issued by the same parent agency, and involves a MORE extensive background check than the precheck system.

My wife's been waiting for more than a month for a US Mail response or an E Mail with a number. I received mine in 2 weeks. We applied within 10 minutes of each other at Tampa Airport. No one will provide a number to call or an address to write to ask about the delay. They were quick to accept the Application Fee

I have waited over 90 days to receive my KTN. Call center simply tells me there is nothing they can do but submit a message to the TSA to expedite the processing. I just learned today that my middle name was mis-spelled. This has been frustrating and completely pathetic on behalf of the TSA. Why would any institution create a call center in which its associates have no information or authority to answer it's callers questions? I have never paid for something and received such horrible service. If the TSA PRE did not have a monopoly on this particular "supposedly" expedited security process. It would have gone out of business a long time ago. This is no way to be treated as a customer and as consumer of a product and service. I would call the Better Business Bureau but it's TSA.gov so I blame the director of the TSA. Fix your broken process(TSA Pre application processing) and do it quickly.

Hey there-I'm up for my renewal on my TWIC and I've just tweeted about TWIC having a deeper and more expensive check-and asked "why do I have to take my shoes off if you've already background checked me?" And as well "Can you please add PreCheck to my TWIC since I'm already giving you $$$$ for a deeper background check?" I know it's a year later but I hope you get this-I will keep the forum posted here. I'm guessing they'll try and get more $$ out of me for the PreCheck since it's a Lockheed Martin Govt contract to make them iirc. More cards=More $$$ I'm also calling my rep who's on the Govt reform committee to inform him about this.

Making an appointment at PBI screening office is a waste of time. Twice I have made appointments and twice the same clerk put me at the back of the line to wait indefinitely. The clerk just takes people first come fist served. The PBI office is in need of adult supervision.

they scan your twix card at the airport but wont let you go through pre check then when you ask why the tsa employee cant give you an anser :what a surprise ? how many more agentcies how many more cards how many more dollars can you suck out of us all

I applied for TSA Pre check on 2/16/2016 and still have not received my number. My husband applied the same day and received his within 2 or 3 weeks. I was told my fingerprints were not clear and they have to do an FBI name check. Does anyone know how much longer I might have to wait for my number to arrive?

TSA PreCheck rocks! I just got it through the Global Entry program and couldn't be happier. I was approved for both my trip to and from SFO last weekend.

I'd definitely recommend getting the program, and you can even find certain credit cards that will pay for the fee for you! Check out some of the American Express cards, as they tend to have more of these types of benefits.

I did my interview on 06/01 and my wife on 06/06. My wife received her KTN on 06/24 and I still haven't received mine. My record is as clean as a whistle so I don't know what the holdup is. I have a flight this weekend and was hoping for approval by then....called the hotline and was told to call back after it's been 30 days (next week). I see above in comments others have inconsistent timelines as well. Frustrating to say the least, would appreciate a streamlined process of review or at least a more transparent status update.

While I understand (I guess - pretty SCAREY if we are using a name to match to anything!!) the need for names to match, I have NEVER used my formal name, but my birth certificate and passport have it. I have always gone by an obvious nickname, but yet if I get TSA Pre-check I will always have to use my formal name for travel? My drivers license and all credit cards and EVERY PIECE OF PAPERWORK I have used for 57 years has my nickname. I am very afraid I would forget to book tickets in my formal name, so I am cancelling my appointment, and will take my chances on randomly being selected.

My wife and I applied on June 8th in person. She received hers within days. It is july 12th and I have notreceived mine. I called and they said it can take 30 to 45 days. So we wait. Funny that after June 8th I renewed my passport and received it today. So I am good to go in and out of the country but can not enter the TSA Pre line. And TSA said theat renewing my passport would not be the cause of a delay. My passport was still valid but it had been stained so I wanted a new one before we travel out of country on vacation.

I applied for TSA on June 13th and my husband applied on June 14th. He had a confirmation email on June 15th and had his KTN letter w/ number 2 days later. I waited until 30 days and called on July 14th to inquire about my status. I'm not sure why they say to call after 30 days because the lady didn't tell me anything or assure me of anything. She just said that I have to continue to wait. She said that my information will be forwarded to whomever deals with those applications over 30 days old and gave me a confirmation # for that. Today is July 25th and I still have not heard from anyone or received my letter with KTN number. It's so random. My husband and I both have clean as a whistle records - not one thing on them. So waiting I am. I'm hoping they start my 5 years from the date it is issued and not the date of my application.It is frustrating alright!! I'm not sure what to do next? Keep calling every 3 days? Wait, wait, wait...

I don't understand me and my girlfriend went to the TSA center the same day. However she receives her ktn number in 12 days. I don't have a record. Why r some people getting theirs back quicker than others. When u call an inquiry no one has any info. I have a passport can fly out of the country but can't get a ktn number.I don't understand the process.

The letter from TSA containing my KTN (Known Traveler Number) was sent out today Oct. 17th, 2016. I'll have the KTN (the whole purpose of signing up for TSA Pre) when I receive the letter from TSA. At least the case processing has completed.

August 16, 2016: TSA Pre application submitted.APPLICATION PROCESSINGYour application has been received and your security threat assessment (STA) is underway. If you do not hear from TSA within 30 days from enrollment, please contact the UES Call Center at 1-855-DHS-UES1.Status as of 8/16/2016.

10/17/16: Case processing is complete.ELIGIBILITY DETERMINEDTSA mailed you a letter with information regarding your eligibility determination. If you do not receive this letter within 10 days of receiving this status, please contact the UES Call Center at 1-855-DHS-UES1.Status as of 10/17/2016.

Hope this info is of some help to others.From the comments, it's either a few days for processing or a few months.